he intends that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he intends that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing someone's intention or desire regarding a specific outcome or action. Example: "He intends that the project will be completed by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The Mayor has always said that he intends that Tube fare rises will be pegged broadly in line with inflation," said the spokesman.

Independent

Rather, Austin is as we are—sensitive to more fine-grained appraisals of uses of bits of language and, when he judges that an utterance on an occasion would be false or nonsensical, he intends that judgment to contrast with less damaging negative appraisals for example, about what it would be merely inappropriate or impolite to say.

SEP

In England and Wales indecent "exposure" is covered by the Sexual Offenders Act 2003 (part 66) which defines an offence if (a) a man intentionally exposes his genitals, and (b) he intends that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress, punishable by up to two years' imprisonment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pavel does not lie to Trofim, since his statement to Trofim is truthful, even if he intends that Trofim be deceived by this double bluff.

SEP

There is good reason, in his discussions that follow, to believe that he intends that any comprehensive account of the aesthetic would acknowledge the former, and not just – as a good number of philosophical accounts have so restricted themselves – the latter.

SEP

Similar observations can be made for other intentional states and the reports made of them — especially when these reports contain an object clause beginning with 'that' and followed by a complete sentence (e.g., she thinks that p; he intends that p; she hopes that p; he fears that p; she sees that p).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In accordance with this focus upon the colossi and his preference for simple controls—he intended that one button on the game controller be used solely for targeting the colossi during battles.

Wikipedia

He said that he intended that the fees would be used to bribe Nigerian government officials.

The New York Times

Unlike Ryan, Vanderbilt or any other, he intended that his gallery survive him as a public museum.

The New York Times

When Osborne pledged the extra £8bn, he intended that money to arrive in the five years between 2016-17 and 2020-21.

The Guardian

Although no newspaper gave Princeton even the slightest chance of winning, Bradley did not just hope to do well himself — he intended that Princeton should win.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he intends that" to clearly state a person's deliberate purpose or plan concerning a future action or outcome. This phrasing often introduces a subordinate clause expressing the intended result.

Common error

Avoid replacing "he intends that" with "he intends to" when the sentence requires a full clause to clarify the intended outcome. "He intends to finish the report" is correct, but if you need to specify the result of his intention, "he intends that the report be finished by Friday" is more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he intends that" functions as a declarative structure, introducing a subordinate clause that specifies the intended outcome or purpose. This expression typically serves to communicate someone's planned action or desired result. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he intends that" serves to express a person's deliberate plan or purpose regarding a future action or outcome. While grammatically sound and generally neutral in register, it is less frequent than similar phrases like "he plans to" or "he aims to". Ludwig provides examples from various sources, confirming its usage across news, science, and general contexts. While the phrase follows standard grammar rules, "he intends to" can often be a suitable substitute in some cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he plans that

Emphasizes a structured approach; implies pre-arranged actions.

he aims for

Highlights aspiration; suggests a specific target or goal.

he designs that

Focuses on the creation or arrangement of something.

he envisions that

Conveys a mental image of the future outcome.

he anticipates that

Highlights expectations about future events; suggests foresight.

he expects that

Expresses a belief that something will happen or be the case.

he desires that

Emphasizes a strong feeling of wanting something to happen.

he aspires that

Conveys ambition; suggests a long-term goal.

he resolves that

Highlights a firm decision to do something.

he determines that

Indicates a firm decision reached after consideration.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he intends that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "it is his intention that", or "he stipulates that". These options convey a similar meaning with a heightened sense of formality.

Is there a subtle difference in meaning between "he intends that" and "he expects that"?

"He intends that" implies a deliberate plan or purpose, while "he expects that" suggests a belief or anticipation about a future event without necessarily implying a direct action to cause it.

Can I use "he intends for" instead of "he intends that"?

While grammatically possible, "he intends for" usually requires a noun phrase rather than a clause. For example, "He intends for his son to inherit the business". Using "he intends that" is more appropriate when introducing a clause explaining the intended result: "He intends that his son will manage the business successfully".

What are some common synonyms for "intends" that can be used in place of "he intends that"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "he plans that", "he aims for", or "he desires that" to convey similar meanings.